Heating system



Sept. 6, 1938. WA. HAJEK HEATING SYSTEM Filed June 12. 19:55

William lNVE/Y TOR J. Ha elr BY H/S A TTORNEY Patented Sept. 6, 1938 UNITED STATES HEATING SYSTEM William J. Hajek, Brookline, Mesa, assignor to Minneapolis-Honeywell Regulator Company, Minneapolis, Minn., a corporation of Delaware Application June lz, 1935, Serial No. 26,183

4 Claims.

This invention relates to heating systems of the type disclosed in the application of Daniel G. Taylor, Serial No. 512,887, filed February 2nd, 1931, Patent No. 2,065,835 dated December 29, 1936.

The system disclosed in the above referred to' Taylor application comprises an outdoor controller responsive to outdoor atmospheric conditions including temperature, wind and solar radiation for controlling the temperature within the building. Heating means are provided in the building for supplying heat to the building and heating means are also provided in the outdoor controller for supplying heat to the outdoor l controller. The two heating means are proportioned according to the heat losses from the building and from the outdoor controller. A thermostatic device is provided for responding to the temperature within the outdoor controller and when this thermostatic device calls for heat both of the heating means are energized to deliver heat to the building and to the outdoor controller. Due to the proportional relationship of the heating means with the heat losses of the building and the outside controller, a definite temperature relationship is maintained within the building and the outdoor controller so that by responding to the temperature of the outdoor controller the thermostatic device maintains a constant or normal temperature within the build- This mode of operation as disclosed in the above referred to Taylor application is based on the assumption that the demand for heat in the building bears a substantially constant ratio with the demand for heat by the outdoor controller. In other words, the Taylor system does not account for changes in the heating load of the building which are caused by various uncon- 'trollable factors. For example, these changes in heating load may be caused by the congregation of a large number of persons in the building whereby body heat causes raising of the building temperature with a consequent decrease in required heating load. Also opening of doors and windows increases the heat loss from the building, lowering the temperature therein and causing an increase in the required heating load. These changes in heating load caused by these uncontrollable factors are very prominent in 'large structures and tend to vary the temperature within the building a considerable amount.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide means whereby the temperature within a the building may be maintained at normal in 9- cordance with outdoor atmospheric conditions irrespective of the changing heating load conditions in the building as caused by the number of people being present within the building and the effect of opening windows and doors and the 5 like.

More specifically, it is an object of this invention to control the temperature of the building by means of an outdoor controller and to provide means for adjusting the outdoor controller 10 in accordance with temperature conditions existing within the building.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a heating means for a building, an outdoor controller for controlling the heating means to 1'5 maintain a normal temperature within the building in accordance with outdoor atmospheric conditions and means for adjusting the outdoor controller in accordance with the temperature with in the building to maintain the temperature with- 20 in the building constant regardless of temperature changing factors that may exist within the building.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent to those skilled inthe art upon reference 5 to the accompanying specification, claims and drawing, in which drawing is diagrammatically illustrated the preferred-form of my invention.

My invention is shown as applied to a-building, having an outside wall l0 and a plurality 30 of spaces to be heated, one of which is shown at H. In each of the spaces to be heated is 10- eated a heat exchanger or radiator i2 which receives its supply of heating fiuid from a riser IS. The riser I3 is connected into a header ll 35 which receives its supply of heating fluid from a pipe l5. Heating fluid emanating from some source, not shown, is supplied to the pipe l5 by a pipe IS. The source of heating fluid may be a central heating plant, a constantly energized 40 boiler or any other known device. A valve ll controls the supply of heating fluid from the supply pipe IG so that when the valve I1 is opened heating fluidis supplied through the above described piping system to the radiators l2 and 45 when the valve I1 is closed, the further supply of heating fluid to the radiators I2 is prevented. The valve I1 is operated by a valve stein i8 which is connected to one end of a pitman 20 by means of a pin IS. The other end of the pitman 50 20 is connected to a crank pin 2| carried by a gear 22 and a' crank disc 23. The gear 22 and consequently the crank disc 23 is driven through a reduction gear train 24 by a motor rotor 25 upon energization of a field 26. The crank disc 23 drives cams 2t and 26. The cams 27 and 23 operate contact arms 29 and 36, respectively. When the high dwells of the cam 27 engage the contact arm 29, the contact arm 29 is moved into engagement with a contact 3|. When the high dwell of cam 28 engages the contact arm 36, the contact arm 36 is moved into engagement with a contact 32 and when the low dwell of the cam 28 becomes operative, the contact arm 38 moves into engagement with a contact 33.

Located outside of the building in any suitable manner is an outdoor controller 35 which comprises a metallic block 36 enclosed within a weather-tight casing 31. The metallic block 36 is heated by means of a heater 38 and cooled by the outdoor atmosphere. The metallic block 36 is preferably hollowed out to receive a bimetallic element 39 which is secured in place within the block 36 by means of a post 48. The bimetallic metallic element 39 carries contacts 4i and 42 which are adapted to sequentially engage adjustable contacts 43 and 44 since the distance between contacts M and 43 is less than the distance between contacts 42 and 44.

A relay coil 46 controls the operation of switch arms 41!, 48 and 49 so that upon-e'nergization of the relay coil 46, the switch arms 47, 48 and 49 are moved to the left into engagement with contacts 56, 5| and 62, respectively, and upon deenergization of the relay coil 46, the switch arms 41, 18 and 49 are moved to the right out of engagement with their respective contacts by means of springs, gravity or other means, not shown. Right-hand movement of switch arm 48 upon deenergization of the relay coil 46 causes engagement of the switch arm 48 with a contact 53.

Line wires leading from some source of power, not shown, are designated at 55 and 66. Wires 5'! and 58 connect a primary 59 of a step-down transformer 68, having a secondary 6|, across the line wires 55 and 56, respectively. One end of the secondary 6| is connected by a wire 62 to the adjustable contact 43 of the outdoor conthe contact 66. The switch arm 41 is connected by a wire 66 to the junction of the wire 83 and the relay coil 46.

When the temperature of the metallic block 36 of the outdoor controller 36 falls below a predetermined value, contact 4| engages contact 43 and contact 42 subsequently engages contact. to complete a circuit from the secondary 6| of the step-down transformer through wire 62. contacts 43, 4|, 42 and 44, wire- 63, relay coil 46 and wire 64 backto the secondary 6| to energize the relay coil 46. The switch arms '41, 48, and 49 are thereby moved into engagement with the contacts 56, 5| and 62, respectively. When the switch arm 41 moves into engagement with the contact 56, a maintaining circuit is completed from the secondary 6| through wire 62, contacts 43 and 4|, bimetallic element 39, wire 65, contact 58,-switch arm 4|,v wire 66, relay coil 46 and vwire 64 back to the secondary 6| to maintain the relay coil 46 energized even though contact between the contacts 42 and 44 may be subsequently b k 36 rises above a predetermined value in a magma manner to be pointed out hereafter, contact between the contacts 4! and 43 is broken to break the above mentioned maintaining circuit to cause deenergization of relay coil 46 and consequent movement of the switch arms ll, tit and 63 to the right.

Wires 68 and 69 connect a primary ill of a stepdown transformer ll, having a secondary l2, across the line wires 33 and 56, respectively. One end of the secondary 12 is connected by a wire 173 to one end of the field 26. The other end of the field 26 is connected by wires l4 and E5 to the contact arm 30. A wire 16 connects the contact arm 29 to the junction of wires l6 and "iii. The contact 32 of the valve motor is connected by a wire 'll to thecontact SI and the contact 33 of the valve motor is connected by a wire it to the contact 53. The switch arm 36 is connected by wires l9 and 86 to the other end of the secondary M of the step-down transformer H. A wire 3| connects the contact 3| of the valve motor to the junction of wires 19 and 96.

When the switch arm 48 is moved to the left into engagement with the contact 6| upon energization of the relay coil 46, a circuit is completed from the secondary E2 of the step-down transformer 1| through wires 86 and I9, switch arm 38, contact 5|, wire 11, contact 32, contact arm 38, wires l5 and I4, fleld 26 and wire 73 back to the secondary 12. Completion of this circuit causes energization of field 26 and consequent rotation of the rotor 25 to move the valve I! to its open position. When the valve H has started its opening movement, the cam 21 moves the contact arm 29 into engagement with the contact 3| to complete a maintaining circuit from the secondary 12 through wires 80 and 8|. contact 3|, contact arm 29, wires 16 and 14, field 26 and wire 13 back to the secondary 12 to insure complete opening movement of the valve IL- When the valve i! ha been completely opened in this manner, the contact arm 29 is moved out of engagement with the contact 3| to break the above referred to maintaining circuit and the contact arm 30 is moved into engagement with the contact 33 to position the valve motor for closing operation. Therefore, when the relay coil 46 is energized, heating fluid is supplied to the radiators l2 to supply heat to the building to maintain the temperature of the building constant.

Upon deenergization of the relay coil 46 caused by lowering oithe temperature'of the metallic block 36 below a predetermined value, the switch arm 48 is moved into engagement with the contact 63 to complete a circuit from the secondary 12 through wires 86 and I9, switch arm 48, contact 53, wire 18, contact 33, contact arm 36, wires I3 and I4,fleld 26, and wire I3 back to the secondary l2. Completion of this circuit causes energization of the field 26 and consequent rotation of rotor 25 to move the valve II to its closed position. The cam 21 again moves the contact arm 29 into engagement with the contact 3| to complete a maintaining circuit to insure complete closing movement of the valve When the valve H has been completely closed, the contact arm 29 moves out of engagement with the contact 3| to break the above maintaining circuit and the contact arm 36 moves into engagement with the contact 32 to position the valve motor for opening operation. Therefore, when the relay coil 46 is deenergized, the valve I1 is closed to prevent the further supply of heat to the building.

Located in one of the rooms to be heated H is a thermostat 83 mounted on a post 84. The thermostat 83 carries a slider 85 which cooperates with a resistance 88. Upon a rise in temperature in the space to be heated, the slider 85 is moved to the right with respect to the resistance 88 and upon a drop in temperature, the slider 85 is moved to the left with respect to the resistance 88.

Wires 8! and 88 connect a primary 88 of a step-down transformer 88, having a secondary 8|, across the line wires 55 and 58, respectively. One end of the secondary 8i is connected by a wire 83 to one end of the resistance 88. The thermostat 83 is connected by a wire 84 to one end of the heater 38 of the outdoor controller 35. The other end of heater 38 is connected by a wire 85 to an ammeter 88 which in turn is connected to one end of a variable resistance 81. The other end of the variable resistance 81 is connected by a wire 88 to the switch arm 48. The contact 52 which cooperates with the switch arm 48 is connected by a wire 88 to the other end of the secondary 8i. When the temperature of the block 38 of the outdoor controller 35 falls below a predetermined value to energize the relay coil 48, the switch arm 48 moves into engagement with the contact 52 to complete a circuit from the secondary 8| through wire 83, resistance 88, slider 85, thermostat 83, wire 84, heater 38, wire 85, ammeter 88, variable resistance 81, wire 88, switch arm 48, contact 52 and wire 88 back to the secondary 8|. Completion of this circuit causes energization of the heater 38 and consequent raising of the temperature of the block 38. When the temperature of block 38 has risen to a predetermined value under the action of heater 38, contact between the contacts 4| and 43 is broken todeenergize the relay 48 to move the switch arm 48 out of engagement with the contact 52 to break the above referred to circuit which prevents the supply of heat to the metallic block 38. In this manner, the bimetallic element 38 maintains the temperature of block 38 at a substantially constant normal value. The variable resistance 81 and the ammeter 88 provide a means for adjusting and visually indi eating the amount of heat delivered to the metallic block 38. The variable resistance 81 is so adjusted that the amount of heat delivered to the outdoor controller is to the amount of heat delivered to the building as the amount of heat loss from the outdoor controller 35 is to the amount of heat loss from the building. By reason of this'proportional arrangement, the temperature of the building is maintained at 'a substantially constant normal value since the bimetallic element 38 which responds to the temperature of the block 38 controls both the supply of heat to the building and to the outdoor controller 35.

As pointed out above, the amount of heat delivered to the building may be excessive at times or deficient at other times due to various factors as body heat of persons congregating within the building or opening of the windows and doors of the building. To remedy this occasional faulty operation of the system, I have provided a thermostatically operated variable resistance responsive to the temperature within the building for controlling the supply of heat to the outdoor controller to maintain the temperature within the building constant regardless of these extraordinary conditions that occur from time to time. It will be seen that when the temperature within the building is caused to rise by one of these variable factors such as the congregating of people within thebuilding, the thermostat 83 moves the slider as to the right which decreases the amount of resistance in the circuit of the outdoor controller heater 38 to increase the heatis maintained constant even though uncontrollable factors come into play to tend to increase the temperature within the building.

In a like manner, when the temperature of the building is decreased as by the opening of windows or doors, the thermostat 83 moves the slider 85 to the left to place more resistance in circuit with the outdoor controller heater 38 to decrease the amount of heat delivered to the outdoor controller 35. Since the building heating means is responsive to the temperature of the outdoor controller 35, and since the amount of heat delivered to the outdoor controller 35 is decreased, the amount of heat delivered to the building is thereby proportionately increased. In this manner, additional heat is supplied to the building to maintain the temperature of the building normal even though conditions occur within the building which tend to lower the temperature thereof.

Although I have disclosed the adjusting means for the outdoor controller as being a thermostat responsive to the temperature existing within' indirectly reflect the temperature within the a building.

Although I have disclosed one form of my invention for purposes of illustration, I do not intend to be so limited since other modifications may become apparent to those skilled in the art. My invention is to be construed only by the scope of the appended claims and the prior art.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a'system of the class described, temperature changing means for a building, an outdoor controller having temperature changing means and thermostatic means, the thermostatic means controlling both temperature changing means to maintain the temperature of the building substantially constant, and a thermostatically operated variable resistance responsive to the building temperature for adjusting the outdoor controller temperature changing means.

2. A building exposed to outdoor atmospheric conditions and means to vary its temperature, an enclosure exposed to the same outdoor atmospheric conditions and means to vary its temperature, means responsive to the temperature of the enclosure for controlling both of the temperature varying means to maintain substantially constant temperatures in the building and the enclosure, and means responsive to the temperature of the building for graduatingly adjusting the temperature changing efiect of the enclosuretemperature varying means.

3. In a heating system of the class described, a building to be heated, a control station of substantial mass outside of the building and of a volume extremely less than the volume of the building and subject to meteorological conditions which also affect the building, heating means for supplying heat to the building and to the control a control device responsive to the temperature or the control station for controlling the operation of the heating means, and means responsive to the temperature of the building for varying the proportion of heat supplied to the building and to thercontrol station. g

. 4. In a system of the class described, tempera.- ture changing means for a building, an outdoor controller having an electric heating means there- 10 for and a thermostatic means, the thermostatic amaava WILLIAM J, HAJEK. 10 

